New tensio-active molecules stabilize a human G protein-coupled receptor in solution

FEBS Lett. 2007 May 15;581(10):1944-50. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.03.091. Epub 2007 Apr 9.

Abstract

Structural characterization of membrane proteins is hampered by the instability of the isolated proteins in detergent solutions. Here, we describe a new class of phospholipid-like surfactants that stabilize the G protein-coupled receptor, BLT1. These compounds, called C(13)U(9), C(13)U(19), C(15)U(25) and C(17)U(16), were synthesized by radical polymerization of Tris(hydroxymethyl) acrylamidomethane in the presence of thioglycerol, first endowed with two hydrocarbon chains with variable lengths (13-17 carbon atoms), as transfer reagent. C(13)U(19), C(17)U(16) or C(15)U(25) significantly enhanced the stability of BLT1 in solution compared to what was obtained with common detergents. These molecules therefore represent a promising step towards the structural characterization of BLT1 and possibly other membrane proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides / chemistry
  • Dimerization
  • Humans
  • Leukotriene B4 / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • Protein Folding
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / metabolism*
  • Solutions / chemistry
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry
  • Thermodynamics
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Acrylamides
  • LTB4R protein, human
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4
  • Solutions
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • tris(hydroxymethyl)-acrylamidomethane
  • Leukotriene B4